Dirty Tank

[weeble36]

I was wondering if anyone can offer me any advice please, I have been given a 4ft long tank but the glass on the inside of the tank is absolutely filthy, can anyone recommend a good way of cleaning it up and getting all the grime off it without leaving any dangerous residue for the fish when I have it up and running?

thanks

 

[fifefish]

what is the tank covered in?

 

[weeble36]

what is the tank covered in?

i think it is dead algea and plants matter, it is really grimy

 

[fifefish]

just use an algae scraper or magnet..
and the residue will just get sucked into the filter

 

[weeble36]

just use an algae scraper or magnet..
and the residue will just get sucked into the filter

thank you that is what I have done tonight so I am hoping it will work, still looks a bit grimey but it is not as bad as it was when I got it.

 

[fifefish]

does the glass look clean or does it still have some tough algae on it?

 

[Colin_T]

You can use a mixture of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) & water, use 20% bleach & 80% water. Wear rubber gloves and wipe the stuff on, leave for 10minutes before rinsing off well with fresh water. You can use the same stuff to rinse out the inside of the tank if you want but be careful because bleach can damage the silicon holding the glass together.

You can wipe the glass down with fresh water before using a single sided razor blade and scrape the stuff of the glass. Then wipe the glass down with fresh water again. Use a squeegy (window wiper thing) to remove any excess water and give a spotless finish.

You can use methylated spirits (95% alcohol) and water to clean the glass with. Use a couple of tablespoons of alcohol per litre of water. Wipe it on, leave for a couple of minutes before scraping it off. Then squeegy for a clean finish.

 

[weeble36]

does the glass look clean or does it still have some tough algae on it?

it still has tough algae on it. The tank is totally empty at the moment as I was only given it this afternoon, been working on it ever since.

 

[pippoodle]

i always wash any dirty ones i buy with hot water and use an old credit card to scrape it
I have used bicarb and hot water before and this hasn't killed any fish when they have evenutally gone in the tank

let us know how you get on

Sarah xx

 

[petertr]

A cloth and hot water works

 

[pippoodle]

good luck with it and remember to cycle the tank before adding any little fishies

 

[fifefish]

You can use a mixture of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) & water, use 20% bleach & 80% water. Wear rubber gloves and wipe the stuff on, leave for 10minutes before rinsing off well with fresh water. You can use the same stuff to rinse out the inside of the tank if you want but be careful because bleach can damage the silicon holding the glass together.

You can wipe the glass down with fresh water before using a single sided razor blade and scrape the stuff of the glass. Then wipe the glass down with fresh water again. Use a squeegy (window wiper thing) to remove any excess water and give a spotless finish.

You can use methylated spirits (95% alcohol) and water to clean the glass with. Use a couple of tablespoons of alcohol per litre of water. Wipe it on, leave for a couple of minutes before scraping it off. Then squeegy for a clean finish.

i would never use bleach on my tank, i alway use just plain water and a scraper to clean my tank it works just fine

 

[weeble36]

good luck with it and remember to cycle the tank before adding any little fishies

ok, can you please tell me what do you mean by cycle the tank? sorry I am a complete novice to this but have always dreamt of having a nice aquarium so want to get everything just right.

 

[fifefish]

good luck with it and remember to cycle the tank before adding any little fishies

ok, do you mean by cycle the tank? sorry I am a complete novice to this but have always dreamt of having a nice aquarium so want to get everything just right.

he means to fill it with water, leave it for a couple weeks for the ammonia to level off..
and create a bacteria colony in the tank..

 

[weeble36]

good luck with it and remember to cycle the tank before adding any little fishies

ok, do you mean by cycle the tank? sorry I am a complete novice to this but have always dreamt of having a nice aquarium so want to get everything just right.

he means to fill it with water, leave it for a couple weeks for the ammonia to level off..
and create a bacteria colony in the tank..

wow a couple of weeks. do I put anything in the tank then or just fresh water. Do I have to get the filter up and running and put my things like the sand and rockery in to start the cycle process off?